The decline in the hospital's population is due to several factors, including the continuing development of the community mental health system as an alternative to state hospital inpatient treatment and advances in pharmacological treatment for many patients, said DPW officials.

Clarks Summit has 219 patients. A budget projection has the number of patients dropping to 159 by July.

Statewide, the total patient population at the seven state mental hospitals is projected to drop to 1,400 patients by July, compared to 1,600 patients in 2012. The population at the mental hospitals has declined 24 percent since 2006, as more people receive mental health services in the community.

Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich, D-114, Taylor, said DPW officials have informed him there are no plans to close the Clarks Summit hospital or reduce the staff of 423 employees. The hospital plans to close about 15 beds, he said.

"I will as representative make sure to keep an eye on the situation," Mr. Kavulich said, adding that Clarks Summit has a good record for providing patient care. "We don't want to see that facility being closed."

The downsizing of the network of state mental hospitals has been underway for decades. Advocacy groups have long called for moving as many patients as possible from institutions to community residential programs.

The governor's 2014-15 budget provides $4.7 million for home and community-based services for 90 individuals currently residing in state hospitals.

All told, the budget provides level funding at $578 million for community mental health services, which can range from residential placements, support for family caregivers and consultation and education.

The March 25 hearing is triggered by a 1999 state law designed to prevent the abrupt closing of a DPW institution. The law sponsor had received little advance notice of the announcement of an institutional closing in his district.

DPW is required to hold a hearing within 30 days following a downsizing of 20 percent or more in resident, staff or patient population or within 30 days of a closing announcement.

The state Department of Public Welfare will hold the hearing March 25 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 133 of the Loyola Science Center at the University of Scranton.

Contact the writer: rswift@timeshamrock.com

Note: The above article has been changed to correct an error. Gov. Tom Corbett's 2014-15 state budget proposal provides basically flat funding at $50.6 million to operate Clarks Summit State Hospital not all the state's mental hospitals as erroneously stated.

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